PBA Fiesta Conference on: Kings, Texters renew grudge match

Source: By Nelson Beltran (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Barangay Ginebra and Talk n Text, two teams which figured in a highly charged, highly emotional all-Filipino quarterfinals confrontation, face each other again right on opening day of the 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum today.

Emotions could still be high as the Kings and the Tropang Texters clash at 6:30 p.m., succeeding the 4 p.m. setto between Barako Energy Coffee (formerly Barako Bull) and Sta. Lucia Realty.

Noelle Cassandra, Asia’s only female harpist, singer and songwriter, and Christine Love, Viva record’s new female artist, provide entertainment during the halftime breaks.

The Kings and the Texters engaged in a passionate and melodramatic quarters battle in the recent Philippine Cup marked by Talk n Text’s infamous walkout in Game Four of the best-of-five series.

Both went short of their bids in the end, and they’re returning in the Fiesta Conference with retooled lineups, hoping to do better than what they achieved in the Philippine Cup.

After settling for fourth place in the all-Filipino tourney, the Kings made two trade deals, acquiring big men Yancy de Ocampo and John Ferriols. Ginebra also reactivated Junthy Valenzuela from the injured list.

Talk n Text, meanwhile, gave up De Ocampo and Renren Ritualo to get solid role players in JR Quinahan, Mark Yee and Aaron Aban.

Ginebra has NBA veteran Awvee Storey as import while Talk n Text will be reinforced by former Air21 resident import Shawn Daniels.

The opening game pits two teams which also effected changes in their lineups after the Philippine Cup.

Barako changed its coach and team name, then acquired four new players with hopes of regaining their old fire following back-to-back last-place finishes.

Junel Baculi makes his debut as PBA head coach, up against the Sta. Lucia team which is determined to redeem itself from a sorry playoffs fold-up in the Philippine Cup.

Sta. Lucia has given up wingman Joseph Yeo to soup up its backcourt with its acquisition of Bonbon Custodio.

The Realtors are upbeat as they’re reunited with versatile import Anthony Johnson.

The Energy Coffee Masters, however, have also high hopes on their import Sammy Monroe, known to be an energetic player remembered for smashing a backboard in the NBA-D League.

Derby Ace (formerly Purefoods), which completed a fairytale ride in the Philippine Cup, won’t see action in the tourney until April 4.

Coach Ryan Gregorio and his troops return to practice only today.

You might also find My Weekend Journal or SkimChix - island life... interesting. Please click

Read More......

Pharex gains final slot; Cobra loses sting

Source: (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Pharex B-Complex steadily pulled away in the second half en route to a 96-83 win over Cossack Blue and the first slot in the 2010 PBL PG Flex Erase Placenta Cup finals at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig yesterday.

Vic Manuel poured in 27 points while Marlon Adolfo tossed in 21 as the Maroons eased out the Spirits, gaining a crack at the championship either against the Excelroof 25ers or the Cobra Energy Drink Ironmen.

Excelroof outlasted Cobra in a gripping battle, pulling off an 89-81 decision to force a sudden death match in their semis duel.

The 25ers and the Ironmen meet in a do-or-die game Tuesday at the San Juan gym.

“We’re truly blessed. We hope we can sustain this run to win the coveted crown,” said Pharex coach Aboy Castro.

Manuel dished out a big game, scoring 11 points in the homestretch to personally write finis on Cossack’s bid.

“Same old story, Vic put on another huge game. Definitely, he (Manuel) is the best player in this conference. He is so hardworking,” said Castro of Manuel who also got away with 12 rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block in 26 minutes of action.

Adolfo, a former Far Eastern University star, also played a key role, drilling in clutch shots that helped Pharex B-Complex build a 65-55 lead after the third quarter.

The Spirits waged a comeback early in the final period, coming through with a 9-4 run to come to within five at 64-69.

They had a chance to come closer but JR Taganas lost his balance on an attack, ramming into Nestor David for an offensive foul.

Cossack coach Rena Baena wildly protested the call and incurred a technical infraction, and the team yielded the momentum.

Adolfo later converted two free throws that sparked a telling 14-4 run.

You might also find My Weekend Journal or SkimChix - island life... interesting. Please click

Read More......

Marquez, Margarito, Valero next for Pacman

Source: By Abac Cordero (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Floyd Mayweather Jr. is not on the short and early list of candidates for Manny Pacquiao’s next opponent.

Those being mentioned as a potential opponent for the Filipino pound-for-pound champion when he returns to action in November are Venezuelan knockout artist Edwin Valero, disgraced champion Antonio Margarito and old-time Pacquiao rival Juan Manuel Marquez.

Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, said he wants the undefeated Valero who has a strong penchant for knockouts. He has knocked out all his 27 opponents, his first 18 fights ending right in the first round. The 28-year-old wrecking ball had said time and again he wants to lay his hands on the Filipino icon.

Roach said he’d like that to happen.

“I’ve been watching him a little bit. I know he’s a big puncher. He’s a southpaw and does pose some difficulties. He’s better than just a guy who could punch but I think that’s the best marketable fight out there for us,” Roach told boxingscene.com.

“Valero is licensed in Texas. If we do the fight there we could sell out the whole place. You don’t have to close half of it down,” said Roach, referring to the massive Cowboys Stadium where close to 51,000 fans came to watch Pacquiao last week in his lopsided 12-round clash with Joshua Clottey.

The stadium, built by Texas tycoon Jerry Jones for $1.2 billion, can house 108,000 fans, but for the Pacquiao fight, actually the first boxing match ever held at the venue, the uppermost section was curtained off. Roach thinks that a Pacquiao-Valero can fill the entire place.

Valero is licensed to fight in Texas but nowhere else in the United States after he failed a medical in New York years ago due to a skull injury he suffered during a motorcycle accident. He has plied his trade in Japan, Panama, Venezuela and Mexico over the last couple of years and would fight Pacquiao on the moon.

Arum, however, wants Margarito next, because Valero is a “nobody” in the US.

“Freddie is the greatest trainer in the world, but he needs to leave this up to the promoters. Valero might be the best but frankly he’s an inside story in boxing. The public at large don’t know who the hell he is,” Arum told boxingscene.com, after reports came out that Pacquiao is being lined up for a November fight.

“That (Valero’s status) can change, and that’s my job as Valero’s promoter, to change that, but I don’t think I can accomplish that job that quickly. We’re all on the same team but I’m not a miracle worker. We need someone the country is familiar with and Margarito (also under Top Rank) is someone they are certainly familiar with,” said Arum.

Margarito was suspensded after he was found using illegal wraps in his fight with Shane Mosley in January last year. He was supposed to fight in the undercard of the Pacquiao-Clottey but, with no license to box, ended up with a date in May. Then after another fight sometime in July, Arum think’s he’d be ready for Pacquiao in November.

Mayweather, the self-proclaimed pound-for-pound king, will face Mosley on May 1 in Las Vegas. A victory by Mosley will further keep a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight from happening because of a rematch clause in their fight contract.

You might also find My Weekend Journal or SkimChix - island life... interesting. Please click

Read More......

Barrios challenges locals to show stuff vs imports

Source: By Joaquin Henson (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios said yesterday he expects the Fiesta Conference to be even more exciting than the recently concluded Philippine Cup as he challenged the league’s local players to stand their ground against the invading imports.

“The attendance figures in the last conference are extremely encouraging and we’re hoping to carry over the momentum,” said Barrios. “Fans are in for a big treat in the Fiesta Conference as looking at the credentials of our 10 imports, they appear to be all solid. Our locals will be surely challenged by the presence of the imports and you can be certain they won’t back down.”

In the last conference, PBA special assistant to the commissioner and media bureau chief Willie Marcial said the average paying audience from the quarterfinals to the finals was about 14,000. And during the four-game title series between Purefoods and Alaska, he noted an average attendance of over 15,000. In the quarterfinals, the Araneta Coliseum hosted 21,422 fans who packed the building to witness the clinchers in the Purefoods-Rain Or Shine and Barangay Ginebra-Talk ‘N’ Text series.

Barrios said he is doubling his efforts to improve officiating standards and vowed to get the job done. He has brought in lawyer Edgar (Aga) Francisco, a former PBL referee, to assist supervisor of officials Ramil Cruz and consultant Romy Guevara in the technical committee. Francisco and another lawyer Bieny Solis are Barrios’ consultants. Barrios’ previous consultants were the late Butch Cleofe and Chito Salud, both lawyers.

“When I was appointed commissioner in 2007, we had 21 referees,” said Barrios. “Today, we have 20. Since I came in, we’ve hired 10 new referees and 11 have moved on. In a sense, we’ve initiated a changing of the guard and we’re optimistic that it will lead to improved officiating standards.”

No new rules will be implemented and the same Philippine Cup tournament format will apply in the Fiesta Conference which starts today. But Barrios said the Board of Governors has approved new sanctions for a walkout.

“The fine for a walkout has been raised to P10 million,” said Barrios. “If a team walks out and returns before the 15-minute grace period, the fine will be P2 million. If a coach walks out but the team stays, he will be fined P300,000 and will not be allowed to return to the game.”

Barrios pointed out that the Board has agreed to extend the grace period for a walkout from seven to 15 minutes. He said even if a team returns to play within the grace period after walking out, it will not be spared a fine of P2 million because of the disruption and the show of protest.

Barrios welcomed the entry of imports in the Fiesta Conference.

“We’ve got five new faces and five returnees,” said Barrios. “It’s a good balance. Imports who play well are rewarded with a renewal so that’s an incentive. From their credentials, the five new imports seem to be spectacular players so we’re looking forward to seeing what they can do.”

The five new imports are Ginebra’s Awvee Storey of Arizona State, Barako Coffee’s Sammy Monroe of Newberry College, Alaska’s Diamon Simpson of St. Mary’s College, Derby Ace’s Lorenzo Wade of San Diego State and Air21’s Keena Young of Brigham Young University. The returnees are Talk ‘N’ Text’s Shawn Daniels of Utah State, Rain Or Shine’s Jai Lewis of George Mason University, San Miguel Beer’s Gabe Freeman of Costa Mesa Junior College, Coca-Cola’s James Penny of Texas Christian University and Sta. Lucia’s Anthony Johnson of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

As for Air21’s Wynne Arboleda, Barrios said he still has to receive an appeal for reinstatement. Arboleda was suspended the rest of the season for an altercation with a fan during a game against Smart Gilas in the Philippine Cup.

“I don’t know if an appeal is forthcoming although I’ve heard it is being crafted,” said Barrios. “If an appeal is submitted, it must contain very strong points to justify a reinstatement - otherwise, the suspension will remain until the end of the season.”

Arboleda is reportedly seeking the support of co-players in bolstering his campaign for readmission. He has so far enlisted signatures of Alaska captain Jeffrey Cariaso, Talk ‘N’ Text captain Jimmy Alapag, Coca-Cola captain Asi Taulava and Air21 co-captain Carlo Sharma in backing his bid.

Barrios said the league will make a conscious effort to market its stars like the NBA promotes Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwight Howard, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony.

“Our teams have their fan base but we’d also like to establish our individual superstars,” said Barrios. “James Yap is one of our superstars and he’s clearly at a different level with his fan base. We’re hoping to develop more superstars. It goes without saying that players must first prove themselves on the court before they achieve superstar status.”

You might also find My Weekend Journal or SkimChix - island life... interesting. Please click

Read More......

Mommy D to persuade son to retire

Source: By Ramil Bajo (The Philippine Star)

KORONADAL CITY, Philippines – Saying her son has had enough of boxing, Manny Pacquiao’s mother Dionesia yesterday said she would do anything to persuade the Filipino icon to retire from the brutal sport.

“Handa akong lumuhod at umiyak sa harap ng anak ko para lang mapahinto ko siya sa boxing (I’m ready to kneel down and cry in front of my son to convince him to retire from boxing),” Mommy Dionesia said.

She said she would do it when Pacquiao returns to their hometown in Sarangani province next week.

Pacquiao, who is coming off a one-sided victory over Joshua Clottey in Texas last week, is running for a congressional seat in Sarangani against Roy Chiongbian, a well-known businessman and said to be the “gatekeeper” of the Chiongbian’s business empires in the country.

“Masakit tingnan na nakikita mo ang anak mo na nakikipagsuntukan sa loob ng ring habang naghihiyawan ang mga tao. Masakit tingnan na nakikita mo ang anak mo na tumutulo ang dugo sa mukha habang sinusuntok (It pains when you see your son fighting in the ring while the fans roar. It pains when you see blood flowing down on your son’s face as he is being punched),” Mrs. Dionesia said.

Mrs. Dionesia admitted that she cried when she saw her son’s bloodied face against Clottey.

“Noong maliliit pa ang mga anak ko iningatan at inalagaan ko sila. Masyadong masakit sa akin na makita ang mukha ng mga anak ko na puro mga pasa dahil sa mga suntok ng ibang tao (When my children were still young, I took care of them. It hurts when you see your children’s swollen face because of the punches),” Mrs. Dionesia said.

When asked about Pacquiao’s plan to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr., Mrs. Dionesia said she does not want the fight to push through.

“Sana pakinggan naman ako ni Manny. Sana huwag na niyang habulin ang makukuha niyang premyo sa planong paglaban nilang dalawa ni Mayweather (I hope Manny will listen to me. I hope he won’t go after the prize money in the planned bout between him and Mayweather),” she said.

Mrs. Dionesia said she believes that Pacquiao would listen to her, saying “dahil para rin naman sa ikabubuti ni Manny ang hinihingi ko sa kanya (I’m asking this favor for his own good).”

Pacquiao’s father Rosalio, on the other hand, said it will all depend on Manny whether to retire from boxing or not.

Rosalio said if his son does not want to retire from boxing, the only choice of his mother is “to support Manny in his decision.”

You might also find My Weekend Journal or SkimChix - island life... interesting. Please click

Read More......

Pharex, Cobra try to set up title duel

Source: (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Pharex B-Complex and Cobra Energy Drink hope to make full use of their twice-to-beat advantages as they go for the finals berths against Cossack Blue and Excelroof in the Final Four of the PBL PG Flex-Erase Placenta Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

The Pharex Fighting Maroons take on the Spirits at 1:45 p.m. while the Ironmen of UE coaches Lawrence Chongson and Mark Herrera battle the 25ers in the 3:45 p.m. encounter, needing just a victory to arrange a best-of-three showdown for this year’s championshio.

Pharex, which gained the top seeding by topping the eight-team, single-round elims with a 6-1 mark, is fancied over Cossack and is expected to use its deep bench and ride on its momentum to put away the challenge of the James Martines-led Cossack squad.

The Fighting Maroons, led by Vic Manuel and former Ateneo star Ford Arao, toppled the 25ers, 74-68, last Tuesday to post the longest win run at five in the league. Others expected to step up for Pharex are former Rookie of the Year Woody Co, Mark Lopez and veteran Marlon Adolfo.

Cobra and Excelroof finished tied for second wth 5-2 slates but the Ironmen took the No. 2 slot plus the semis incentive due to the winner-over-the-other rule.

With Patrick Cabahug delivering the goods in the dying seconds, the Ironmen nipped the 25ers, 66-65, last March 4.

The former UAAP scoring champion is again tipped to spearhead the Ironmen’s bid along with UE’s Paul Lee and Parri Llagas and former Ateneo guard Jai Reyes.

The 6-foot-2 Cabahug, who played for Adamson for three years, led Cobra for the third straight time when he tallied 25 points in the team’s semis-clinching 88-82 win over Fern-C last Thursday.

But coach Lawrence Chongson is not relying solely on Cabahug since Reyes, Llagas and especially Lee can score at any given time and situation.

Still, the Ironmen will have to go through the proverbial eye of the needle before dispatching the 25ers since the Ato Agustin-mentored squad is not only itching to get back at Cobra but also raring to get a shot at the crown.

“Our play still needs so much to be desired. I don’t know how but I’m trying to work on it,” said Chongson.

But for Excelroof to prevail, it has to bring the best out of NCAA Finals MVP Jimbo Aquino, who has been playing inconsistently of late.

Agustin must not just stick to his San Sebastian players like Aquino, Calvin Abueva, Pamboy Raymundo and Gilbert Bulawan since the other members of the squad, especially veteran Chester Taylor, can provide the needed firepower given extended playing time.

You might also find My Weekend Journal or SkimChix - island life... interesting. Please click

Read More......

Rubillar in title rematch but pay will be less

Source: By Joaquin Henson (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino five-time world title challenger Juanito Rubillar is hoping his luck will turn when he takes on newly crowned IBO lightflyweight champion Hekkie (The Hexecutioner) Budler in a rematch at the Emperor’s Palace in Kempton Park, Gauteng, South Africa, on June 19 but he’ll be paid $2,500 less than in their first controversial meeting.

Rubillar’s manager Gabriel (Bebot) Elorde Jr. said yesterday the smaller purse is inconsequential as is the fact that promoter Shona McTaggart of Golden Gloves is providing for one less plane ticket.

“I can’t complain,” said Elorde. “Juanito is the challenger, not the champion, and I’m just happy to be given a second chance. I’m grateful to Shona and Rodney Berman (Golden Gloves chairman) for agreeing to the rematch.”

Last month, Rubillar lost to Budler via a majority 12-round decision for the vacant IBO 108-pound title at Emperor’s Palace where the 20-year-old South African has fought 12 of his 14 bouts. The verdict was widely criticized by sportswriters, prompting IBO president Ed Levine to order an immediate rematch.

A point of dispute was the presence of three South African judges two of whom unconscionably saw it for Budler despite Rubillar’s dominant showing. For the record, Lulama Mtya had it, 117-113, and Deon Dwarte, 115-113, both for Rubillar while Isaac Tshabalala scored it, 114-all.

Chicago referee Pete Podgorski appeared to throw neutrality out of the window. In the late going, Rubillar dropped Budler with a legitimate blow but Podgorski ruled it a slip after counting to two. Elorde said the fight tape provided by Golden Gloves was only up to the seventh round and conveniently missed the knockdown.

Podgorski, 56, was the same referee who abruptly halted IBF flyweight champion Nonito Donaire’s fight against Raul Martinez in the fourth round at the Araneta Coliseum last year. Martinez was floored and skidded to the canvas. Podgorksi didn’t bother to count or check Martinez’ condition and suddenly, waved it off, raising eyebrows from a few veteran referees at ringside.

“Budler went down from a punch and Podgorski started to count,” said Elorde. “When he reached the count of two, he looked at us and ordered one of our seconds (Archer Villamor) to wipe the water on the canvas near our corner. Then, Podgorski forgot about the count, ruled it a slip and let the fight continue. I couldn’t believe what he did. It was the first time I saw anything like it.”

Elorde said he was advised by friends to protest the verdict but decided against it as the case would’ve meant an investment of $1,000 as filing fee.

“I e-mailed Mr. Levine and forwarded stories from the press questioning Budler’s win,” said Elorde. “A hometown decision is nothing new in boxing. You learn to live with it. But in this case, I asked Mr. Levine for a rematch and I’m grateful that Rodney and Shona agreed.”

To be fair, Elorde said he was approached by McTaggart right after the bout and offered a rematch although no terms were discussed. The contract for the return fight arrived a week ago and Elorde has signed it.

In the first bout, Rubillar was accompanied by trainers Ding Cabanela and Villamor and Elorde as Golden Gloves provided four plane tickets. In the rematch, only three tickets are in the budget and even Rubillar’s purse will be cut by $2,500.

Elorde said he’s not in a position to bargain for neutral judges. The word is two of the three judges in the rematch will be Americans and one will presumably be South African.

“Both Golden Gloves and the IBO have recommended that a rematch take place in order for the result to be free of contention,” said Berman, quoted by the South African press. “Not that we are questioning the credibility of the three judges but since they were all South Africans and the contest was fought at such a fast pace, it was understandable that there would be allegations of a hometown bias. I know that Budler himself would like nothing more than the opportunity to reinforce his status as the new world champion as this would considerably benefit his reputation.”

Budler’s trainer Colin Nathan said he welcomed the opportunity to set the record straight. “It was a credible fight but as champions, we accept the challenge,” he said. “We felt that we won it fair and square but all I can say is that history will repeat itself and we will beat Rubillar more convincingly.”

Elorde said Rubillar fought cautiously in the first four rounds, wary that an accidental headbutt would result in a no-contest or technical draw. He turned on the heat starting the fourth round and Budler took a bad beating.

“We’ll do the same in the rematch,” said Elorde. “We’ll go to the body like we did before but this time, we’ll be even more aggressive so we won’t rely on the scorecards to win.”

Elorde said Budler’s youth and inexperience will prove to be his undoing. Budler was only four years old when Rubillar made his pro debut in 1994. Rubillar’s record is 48-14-7, with 23 KOs, compared to Budler’s 14-0, with five KOs. Rubillar has lost in five bids for the world title, starting in 1999 when he bowed to another South African, Zolani Petelo, for the IBF minimumweight crown in Cambridgeshire, England.

You might also find My Weekend Journal or SkimChix - island life... interesting. Please click

Read More......

Pacquiao pay-per-view way below target

Source: By Abac Cordero (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - It seems very unlikely that the pay-per-view sales for the recent Manny Pacquiao-Joshua Clottey fight at the Cowboys Stadium in Texas will come close to the average PPV numbers the Filipino icon has posted in his last three fights.

Top Rank chief Bob Arum has come up with numbers to expect from the recent fight, and they’re way below the 1.25 million PPV buys for Pacquiao’s battle with Oscar dela Hoya and Miguel Cotto, and the 850,000 hits with Ricky Hatton.

“All we have is the satellite numbers and they are very strong,” Arum told ESPN’s Dan Rafael, five days after Pacquiao, the pound-for-pound champion, turned Clottey’s body into a punching bag and ran away with a unanimous decision.

Arum said while nothing is definite yet, the numbers for the March 13 fight should exceed 650,000.

“We’re not giving out any numbers yet because we have very little (information) from the cable systems, which you need. The cable numbers are very fragmented, so it could be a few days. But the number that you can’t go any lower than is 650,000 for the fight.

“That is the worst it would do, but it should be a lot higher,” said Arum.

Pacquiao was guaranteed $12 million for the fight, and should get a couple millions more from his PPV shares. If the numbers get stuck at 650,000, it will translate to around $32.5 million from which the boxers get a share.

Clottey was given $1.2 million for taking on the sport’s hottest figure, and he seemed so content that he gave up his chances of pulling off a victory. For 12 rounds, he was so busy defending and just trying to stay on his feet.

A crowd of 50,994 came to watch the fight at the $1.2 billion stadium.

Pacquiao has averaged a little over a million PPV buys in his fights with Dela Hoya, Hatton and Cotto when a few years ago he was so happy doing around 350,000 for his bouts with Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera or Juan Manuel Marquez.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao’s business adviser, Eric Pineda, yesterday said the 31-year-old Pinoy champion is scheduled to arrive in Manila on Monday, a day ahead of the original plan.

Pacquiao was scheduled to hold a concert in Hawaii this Sunday, but it was called off due to poor ticket sales. Instead, Pacquiao and his wife, Jinkee, will push their departure date to Saturday (LA time).

Pineda said from the airport he will be taken straight to his hotel for a brief rest. Then he attends his traditional Thanksgiving Mass at the Quiapo Church and will probably proceed to the GMA-7 headquarters.

Pacquiao has skipped his routine visit to the DENR headquarters in Quezon City, and according to Pineda, the boxer has yet to receive any word or any invitation for him to drop by at Malacañang for an audience with the President.

Pacquiao flies to his hometown in Sarangani on Tuesday to get ready for his campaign for the May 10 elections.

You might also find My Weekend Journal or SkimChix - island life... interesting. Please click

Read More......

San Mig, Derby Ace teams to beat in Fiesta

Source: By Nelson Beltran (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - San Miguel Beer, the defending champion, and Derby Ace (formerly Purefoods), the Philippine Cup winner, are among the teams to reckon with in the 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference, which comes off the wraps tomorrow at the Araneta Coliseum.

Coaches also pointed to Alaska Milk, Talk n Text and Barangay Ginebra as the teams likely to figure prominently in the fight for the championship in the event won by the Beermen over the Kings last year.

The others, however, are not totally discounted with the coaches stressing the imports role in the reinforced tourney.

They mentioned Rain or Shine last year when the Elasto Painters made the Final Four for the first time in franchise history behind hard-working import Jai Lewis.

Barako Energy Coffee and Sta. Lucia Realty clash in the 4 p.m. curtain-raiser then Ginebra and Talk n Text collide in the 6:30 p.m. main setto on opening day.

On Wednesday also at the Big Dome, Barako squares off with Coca-Cola at 5 p.m. then Air21 tangles with San Miguel Beer at 7:30 p.m.

However, San Miguel, Derby Ace, Alaska, Ginebra and Talk n Text remain the favorites to fight it out for the crown.

Coaches say the Beermen, the Llamados, the Aces, the Kings and the Tropang Texters have the built-in advantage with their solid local crew.

Derby Ace coach Ryan Gregorio said San Miguel and Alaska are the teams to beat but the Llamados will be out there to contend for a possible double championship.

For Alaska coach Tim Cone, San Miguel, Derby Ace and Ginebra are the teams that could well pose biggest problems to his troops.

“It’s hard to make predictions without seeing all the imports, but the SMC teams (San Miguel, Derby Ace and Ginebra) will all be favored, especially SMB with returning import Gabe Freeman. Purefoods, as the all-Filipino champion, will be there as well as Ginebra since they went to last year’s Fiesta Conference finals,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone.

“But as I always say, it’s not about getting the best import. It’s about getting the import that best fits your team. San Miguel has shown that already,” Cone added.

Bo Perasol and Siot Tanquingcen are two coaches which rated Talk n Text in the Top Three. Chot Reyes and Boyet Fernandez, meanwhile, included Alaska Milk in their lists. Jong Uichico picked San Miguel, Derby Ace, Alaska and Talk n Text but not necessarily in that order.

“San Miguel should be there because it’s the defending champion, Purefoods should also be a top choice since it’s the all-Filipino champion, then there’s Alaska with its great import,” said Reyes.

“Purefoods should be there. Talk n Text is also tough with Shawn Daniels. Ginebra will be a tough contender with the return of Rudy Hatfield, the addition of Yancy de Ocampo, the continuous improvement of JC Intal and the presence of healthy Mark Caguioa and Jayjay Helterbrand. Rain or Shine, to me, is a contender with Jai Lewis and its young, energetic local crew,” said Tanquingcen.

“San Miguel, Talk n Text and Purefoods are strong contenders with their solid local lineups,” said Perasol.

Aside from Freeman, Daniels and Lewis, other imports seeing action in the tourney are James Penny for Coca-Cola, Anthony Johnson for Sta. Lucia, Lorrenzo Wade for Derby Ace, Keena Young for Air21, Diamon Simpson for Alaska, Sammy Monroe for Barako and Awvee Storey for Ginebra.

You might also find My Weekend Journal or SkimChix - island life... interesting. Please click

Read More......

Arboleda starts signature drive in PBA return bid

Source: GMANews.TV

Banned Air21 guard Wynne Arboleda is hoping the captains of the 10 participating teams in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) would support his signature drive so he could play in the coming Fiesta Cup.

Arboleda, the Air21 team captain who is seeking to get a second chance in his basketball career, was suspended for the rest of the season after attacking a heckling fan last year.

The Express’ stocky 5-foot-9 playmaker already collected four signatures as of press time with Alaska’s Jeffrey Cariaso, Jimmy Alapag of Talk ‘N Text, Asi Taulava of Coca-Cola and Air21 assistant captain Carlo Sharma threw in their support.

Arbolda expects other team captains to support his bid of asking the PBA board to lift his season-long ban and allow him to play in the import-laced Fiesta Conference.

“Medyo kumikilos tayo ng kaunti at humihingi ng tulong sa kapwa natin team captains na payagan na tayong lumaro," Arboleda told GMANews.TV. “Sa palagay ko, sapat na yung naranasan ko na penalty."

“So far, nakaka-tatlo pa lang kami. But I’m confident na makakakuha pa kami ng pirma from other team captains."

Arboleda’s name was included in the Air21 line-up that was submitted to the PBA office. His inclusion fueled speculations that he might be reinstated anytime and could suit up for the Express in the Fiesta Cup.

PBA chairman and Air21 team manager Lito Alvarez said the reason for Arboleda’s inclusion doesn’t mean the four-time All-Defensive Team member is now allowed to play.

Alvarez added they cannot replace Arboleda’s spot as teams are prohibited to replace a suspended player.

“And even if nilagay namin siya sa lineup, may open and close parenthesis doon which states suspended. It is also one way of thinking positive na baka we can persuade commissioner Sonny Barrios to reinstate him. We feel enough na rin yung penalty na naibigay sa kanya."

Barrios wasn’t surprised to see Arboleda’s name in the lineup.

“It’s short of saying Air21 wants to have a positive outlook," said Barrios. “There’s nothing wrong with that."

But Barrios clarified he hasn’t received any formal letter from Arboleda’s camp seeking for the lifting of his suspension.

“The truth is, I have yet to receive any letter from them," said Barrios. “But if they’re gathering signatures from the team captains, I assume na isasabay na nila dyan yung letter or wait and see if they can get more signatures."

“Parang gaya ng sa mga tatakbo na gumawa ng signature campaign. They want to know first if they can get more signatures before they run."

You might also find My Weekend Journal or SkimChix - island life... interesting. Please click

Read More......

Beermen, Aces determined to win Fiesta Cup title

Source: GMANews.TV

San Miguel wants to keep the Fiesta Cup crown while Alaska hopes to finally nail a 13th title so they can finally join the legendary Crispa Redmanizers as the two most winningest franchises in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

This was according to Gee Abanilla and Dicky Bachmann, the assistant coaches of the Beermen and the Aces, during Friday’s SCOOP sa Kamayan weekly session in Manila.

The PBA’s Fiesta Conference opens on Sunday, March 21, at the Araneta Coliseum with the Sta. Lucia Realtors taking on the Barako Energy Coffee Masters (Barako Bull) in the 4 p.m. opening game while the Barangay Ginebra Kings battle the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters at 6 p.m.

San Miguel and Alaska became victims of eventual champion Purefoods (now the Derby Ace Llamados) in the recently concluded Philippine Cup with the Giants eliminating the Beermen in the semifinals. Purefoods then scored a 4-0 sweep of Alaska in the finals series.

The Beermen, who captured the same tournament at the expense of sister team Ginebra, beefed up their already formidable lineup to assure themselves of a back-to-back Fiesta Cup crown.

The Aces, likewise, revamped their lineup to avenge their embarrassing loss.

Abanilla said bringing back last year’s best import winner Gabe Freeman is one of the moves San Miguel has down to show its determination that they want to keep the crown in the import-laced tournament.

The Beermen also traded playmakers Mike Cortez and Bonbon Custodio in favor of Air21’s Coca-Cola’s Alex Cabagnot and Sta. Lucia’s Joseph Yeo.

Bachmann, on the other hand, said during their acquisition of Beermen Samigue Eman from the free agent market midway through the Philippine Cup, is exactly what the Aces needed to strengthen their almost intact roster.

The Aces, who actually are eyeing a 13th championship that would tie them with the Redmanizers as the second winningest ballclub in PBA history, will be parading a new reinforcement in Diamon Sampson.

Sampson’s impressive showing in the National Basketball Development League impressed Alaska head coach Tim Cone.

“Let’s just say that we’ve learned our lessons in the last conference which we believe have already been addressed," Bachmann said, admitting that the Alaska management was disappointed in what happened to the Aces last conference.

Ginebra team manager Samboy Lim, who spoke in behalf of coach Jong Uichico, said that addition of Yancy de Ocampo from Talk ‘N Text and John Ferriols from Alaska strengthened the Gin Kings’ frontcourt.

Lim said the Ginebra coaching staff is satisfied in choosing Awvee Storey, who played alongside Gilbert Arenas with the Washington Wizards, as their reinforcement.

“Ang Ginebra naman lagging contender ke malakas o mahina ang lineup. This is because of our do-or-die style of play which we will maintain in the Fiesta Cup," Lim said.

Also present were Freeman, assistant coaches Cholo Martin of Sta. Lucia Realty, Nash Racela of Talk ‘N Text and newly-appointed coach Junel Baculi of the Coffee Masters.

Martin said Yeo’s absence would hardly be felt with Custodio’s arrival and Felix Belano returning in a Sta. Lucia jersey.

He added that unlike last year where Kelly Williams and Ryan Reyes spent most of their time on the bench due to injuries, the Realtors expect to have a healthy and injury-free lineup this year.

Tal ‘N Text believes they already solved its defensive woes when it acquired Aaron Aban and Mark Yee from Air21 and having Shawn Daniels as its reinforcement.

Baculi, who replaced Leo Isaac, said mainstays of the ASEAN Basketball League champions Philippines Patriots would help the Photokina franchise reclaim its old winning form.

The Coffee Masters recruited Rob Wainwright, Jerwin Gaco and Christian Coronel from the Patriots.

“Being last placers in the previous conference, the teams, I believe can go nowhere but up," said Baculi, a former assistant of Burger King coach Yeng Guiao.

You might also find My Weekend Journal or SkimChix - island life... interesting. Please click

Read More......

Win assures Cavs of third Central title

Source: (The Philippine Star) from Associated Press

CLEVELAND – LeBron James had 32 points, nine rebounds and nine assists as the Cleveland Cavaliers clinched consecutive outright Central Division championships and the third in team history, beating Indiana, 99-94, on Wednesday night.

Cleveland (54-15) is the first team this season to clinch its division.

After Cleveland’s 18-point lead was cut to one, James had six points, two blocks, two steals and an assist in the final 4 minutes, including a dunk behind his head after catching an alley-oop pass from Anderson Varejao. Troy Murphy had 19 points and 15 rebounds, and Roy Hibbert had 20 points for Indiana.

At Charlotte, Stephen Jackson scored 18 of his 20 points in the second half as the Bobcats rallied to beat Oklahoma City,100-92, to give Michael Jordan a victory in his first game as Bobcats majority owner.

Hours after the NBA’s Board of Governors approved Jordan’s $275 million purchase, he watched his team stage a dramatic recovery from a horrible start.

Stephen Graham matched a career high with 19 points filling in for the injured Gerald Wallace, and the Bobcats won for the seventh time in eight games.

Kevin Durant had 26 points and 10 rebounds for the Thunder.

At Orlando, Vince Carter had 24 points and eight assists as the Orlando Magic smothered San Antonio star Tim Duncan, 110-84.

Duncan had two points and was 1 for 10 from the field in the worst shooting percentage game of his career.

Rashard Lewis finished with 20 points to help the Magic win for the ninth time in 10 games. Richard Jefferson had 20 points for San Antonio.

At Boston, Paul Pierce scored 29 points, Kevin Garnett had 22 and Boston cruised to a 109-97 victory over New York, its third straight lopsided victory at home.

The Celtics led 32-19 after the first quarter, 68-49 at halftime and 92-69 after the third. Pierce’s basket midway through the third quarter gave Boston its biggest lead, 81-54. David Lee led New York with 29 points.

At Toronto, Chris Bosh scored with 2.1 seconds left as Toronto beat Atlanta to end a five-game losing streak, 106-105.

Bosh was 6 of 19 from the field and finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds. He made a second-quarter layup to become the first player in franchise history to reach the 10,000-point plateau.

Andrea Bargnani had 22 points and 11 rebounds for the Raptors, 2-10 in their last 12 games. Jamal Crawford had a season-high 33 points for the Hawks.

You might also find My Weekend Journal or SkimChix - island life... interesting. Please click

Read More......

Cobra, Cossack seal Final 4 cast

Source: (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Cobra Energy Drink fended off Fern-C’s rally in the final quarter as it hacked out an 88-82 victory to clinch the third semis berth and give sister team Cossack Blue a free ride to the Final Four in the PBL PG Flex-Erase Placenta Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City yesterday.

The Ironmen rode on a big third quarter run to build a 15-point lead but sputtered in the fourth in the face of Fern-C’s spirited charge before hanging tough to pound out the victory.

Cobra thus finished the single round elims with a 5-2 record, securing the No. 2 spot behind Pharex B-Complex, which topped the field with a 6-1 card.

The Ironmen actually finished tied with the Excelroof 25ers but took the second spot and the other twice-to-beat incentive on a winner-over-the-other rule. Cobra nipped Excelroof, 66-65, last March 4.

Cobra’s victory also enabled Cossack to grab the fourth and last semis seat despite losing via rout, 53-88, to AddMix in the second game.

Pharex B-Complex will take on Cossack while Cobra battles Excelroof in the other semis pairing.

Cossack wound up with a 4-3 record, the same card of Ascof Lagundi. But the Spirits grabbed the last spot as they edged the Ascof side, 88-87, in their previous encounter.

For the third straight time, former UAAP top gun Patrick Cabahug led Cobra with 25 points and finished with seven rebounds while UE stars Paul Lee and Pari Llagas backed him up with 20 points each.

Llagas also pulled down 14 rebounds to complete another double-double performance.

“It was a struggle but somehow we got there. But our play still needs so much to be desired. I don’t know but I’m trying to work on it but then somehow we managed to survive against some of the top teams in the tournament,” said Cobra coach Lawrence Chongson, who is assisted by Mark Herrera.

Lee gave the Ironmen their biggest lead at 19 points, 67-48, with 29 seconds left in the third canto.

But the Ferntastics rallied behind former Ateneo guard Yuri Escueta and pulled within eight points, 61-69, with 7:06 remaining in the contest.

Cabahug, however, drained two triples and came up with a split as Cobra surged to another double-digit spread at 76-61 with five minutes to go in the contest.

You might also find My Weekend Journal or SkimChix - island life... interesting. Please click

Read More......

Arum, GBP to reopen talks

Source: By Abac Cordero (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Whatever happens on May 1 in Las Vegas, Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer said he’s open to reopening negotiations with Top Rank chief Bob Arum regarding Manny Pacquiao’s next fight.

But Schaefer, in a conversation with boxing chronicler Michael Marley, said only after the May 1 showdown between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Shane Mosley will talks with Arum start.

Mayweather and Mosley are both under Golden Boy, and whoever wins the fight, set at the MGM Grand, can take on Pacquiao, still fresh from a 12-round demolition of Joshua Clottey in Dallas.

“Come May 2, it’s a different story. Then we can talk about the May 1 winner fighting Pacquiao but not before. I will not talk about any other fight until that fight is over,” said Schaefer on behalf of GBP.

Pacquiao has expressed willingness to fight Mayweather or Mosley, as well as his trainer, Freddie Roach, who was also reportedly interested in a battle with Venezuelan knockout artist Edwin Valero.

A fight with Mayweather could be the richest fight of all time and both boxers may earn no less than $30 million each.

It’s not certain, though, if Arum is still interested in talks with Schaefer following the aborted negotiations for the Pacquiao-Mayweather super-fight that was supposed to have taken place this month.

Arum was furious when Schaefer pulled out of a meeting with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones as they negotiated for the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight, and the question is will he ever do business with Schaefer again.

Talks for a Pacquiao vs Mayweather eventually fell apart due to the drug-testing procedure.

But if Mayweather gets past Mosley, and takes away the latter’s WBA welterweight crown, then the road leads nowhere but a showdown with Pacquiao, the WBO welterweight king and reigning pound-for-pound champion.

Schaefer also told Marley that a Pacquiao fight with either Mayweather or Mosley can take place anywhere, even at the Cowboys Stadium, which drew a crowd of nearly 51,000 for the Pacquiao-Clottey show last Saturday.

“I am sure it was pretty good, at least from what I read. I am sure it was good for the sport overall. I took my family out to dinner Saturday night so I didn’t see it live. Pacquiao is a good fighter. You can’t blame Pacquiao if the other guy didn’t want to fight. I am sure that Pacquiao came to fight,” said Schaefer.

“My goal is to maximize the money for the fighters who all have limited time in their boxing careers. A fight can take place in Dallas, in Las Vegas or anywhere else. We know such a fight would do a huge number in Vegas and we can see what others might offer. As a promoter, my obligation is to maximize the money,” he said.

You might also find My Weekend Journal or SkimChix - island life... interesting. Please click

Read More......

Bulls see better finish with new recruits, name

Source: By Nelson Beltran (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Barako Bull acquired four new players and changed its coach and team’s name in a bid to regain its old glory in the PBA.

The team will be known as Barako Energy Coffee as it looks to redeem itself from a poor showing in the recent Philippine Cup, hopeful of making a good run in the 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference which kicks off Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Energy Coffee Masters, now under coach Junel Baculi with four new recruits in Rob Wainwright, Jerwin Gaco, Al Vergara and Christian Coronel and with import Sammy Monroe, play the Sta. Lucia Realtors in the opening game.

Barako Energy Coffee also sees action in the next playdate on Wednesday as it battles Coca-Cola, also at the Big Dome.

“With the changes we’ve had, we look forward to a highly competitive campaign in the coming PBA tourney,” said team owner George Chua.

“We’re raring to improve on our poor showing in the recent Philippine Cup, determined to make good on the playing court and make an impact for the brand Barako Energy Coffee which we’re introducing to the public,” Chua said.

Chua also expressed gratitude to the Harbour Centre of Mikee Romero for their sponsorship deal for the duration of the season.

Yousif Aljamal, Rob Reyes, Gilbert Lao, Jojo Duncil, Aris Dimaunahan, Leo Najorda, Ogie Menor, Chad Alonzo and Ryan Faundo have been kept in the lineup of the team which has high expectation on import Monroe, a 6-5 1/16 forward out of Newberry U with a recent stint with the Austin Toros in the NBA Developmental League.

Monroe is a tremendous dunker, who smashed a backboard in the D-League.

He played one season at Newberry after spending first two years at Clinton Junior College in South Carolina and Tallahassee Community College in Florida.

He led Tallahassee in rebounding (6.5 rpg) and blocked shots (1.0 bpg) while ranking second in scoring (14.2 ppg) in 2005-06. He scored 20 or more points six times and posted four double-doubles.

At Clinton JC in 2003-04, he averaged 17 points, earned Second Team Region X honors while helping the team to a 22-10 record and a conference championship.

At the moment, only Raymond Celis is officially listed as assistant coach. The team is expected to name Louie Alas also as assistant coach in the next few days.

“We assure the PBA fans that our team will come out and give its best effort in each game we play. We intend to relive our winning tradition,” said Raffy Casyao, the team’s alternate representative to the PBA board.

The team joined the league as an expansion franchise in 2000 and has since won three championships.

Through the 2008-09 season, the team had a .536 winning performance (with 247 wins against 214 losses), better than the records of Coca-Cola (.504), Purefoods (.500), Ginebra (.482), Talk n Text (.469), Burger King (.469), Sta. Lucia (.455) and Rain or Shine (.314).

Then known as the Red Bull Barakos, the team nailed a championship right on its second year of participation in the league, ruling the 2001 Commissioner’s Cup under the tutelage of coach Yeng Guiao.

You might also find My Weekend Journal or SkimChix - island life... interesting. Please click

Read More......

Cavs top Pistons on LeBron's 3-double

Source: (The Philippine Star) from Associated Press

AUBURN HILLS, Michigan – LeBron James had 29 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists in his fourth triple-double of the season, lifting the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 113-101 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night.

Cleveland has won four in a row and lost only one of its last 11 games, improving to an NBA-best 53-15 win-loss record.

Richard Hamilton had 24 points and was one of six Pistons who scored in double figures.

Detroit has lost three straight games and eight of 10.

At Miami, Manu Ginobili scored 22 points, George Hill had 16 and surging San Antonio wasted most of a 25-point, third-quarter lead before beating Miami, 88-76.

Richard Jefferson added 15 points and Tim Duncan had 12 points and 11 rebounds for the Spurs, who’ve won eight of their last nine and ensured they would end the night no worse than No. 7 in the Western Conference standings.

Dwyane Wade scored 28 points for Miami, which lost for the first time in its last seven home games. Jermaine O’Neal added 13 points and Udonis Haslem finished with 10 points and 12 rebounds for the Heat, who missed a chance to move past Charlotte for the No. 6 spot in the East race. Charlotte lost at Indiana.

At Sacramento, Kobe Bryant scored 30 points and Pau Gasol added 28 points and 11 rebounds as the Los Angeles Lakers completed a sweep of their Northern California swing with a 106-99 victory over the Kings.

After committing 24 turnovers and barely holding on for a 124-121 victory at Golden State on Monday night, the Lakers were much sharper on the back end of their trip. They committed just two turnovers in the first half and 10 for the game, overpowering the Kings inside to win their fourth straight following a season-high, three-game losing streak.

Andrew Bynum added 21 points and 12 rebounds, and the Lakers finished with 60 points in the paint to remain four games ahead of Denver for the best record in the Western Conference.

At Phoenix, Jason Richardson scored 27 points and Amare Stoudemire scored 25, then sat with the rest of the Phoenix starters while the Suns’ reserves finished off a 152-114 rout of Minnesota, 152-114, in the highest-scoring game by an NBA team this season.

Lou Amundson matched his career high with 20 points as Phoenix sent the Timberwolves to their 10th straight loss and 16th in the last 17 games.

The Suns, with eight players in double figures, shot 56 percent and won their ninth in 12 games.

At Indianapolis, Danny Granger scored 26 points to help Indiana to a 99-94 win and deny Charlotte what would have been a franchise-record seventh consecutive victory.

Troy Murphy had 16 points and 13 rebounds, and Mike Dunleavy added 15 points for Indiana, which had lost 14 of its previous 17 games.

Former Pacer Stephen Graham scored a career-high 19 points and tied a career best with eight rebounds in place of All-Star forward Gerald Wallace, who missed his second straight with an injured left ankle.

You might also find My Weekend Journal or SkimChix - travel with me... interesting. Please click

Read More......

Smart Gilas posts 2nd win Down Under

Source: By Joey Villar (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Smart Gilas edged Australia’s second national team, 79-73, behind a tenacious inside game Tuesday night in the Nationals’ second outing in a series of tune-up games in Australia.

Greg Slaughter, 22, towered over a tall Aussie side, putting in a team-high 16 points on an impressive seven-of-nine performance.

The University of Visayas standout also had five rebounds, four shot blocks and a steal to help power the Nationals to their second straight victory following their 78-67 win over Australia’s Under-19 squad last Monday.

Co-skipper Mark Barroca scored 13 points and finished with three rebounds and the same number of assists while team caption Chris Tiu had 12 points and pulled down seven rebounds and had two assists.

“We’re doing great, we’re on the right track,” said Smart Gilas team manager Frankie Lim.

Smart Gilas’ Serbian coach Rajko Toroman said the team needs to sustain its form as the RP cagers take on the same team tonight (Philippine time).

You might also find My Weekend Journal or SkimChix - travel with me... interesting. Please click

Read More......

Sampson not giving up on Sonsona

Source: By Joaquin Henson (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - International promoter Sampson Lewkowicz is convinced that former WBO superflyweight champion “Marvelous” Marvin Sonsona has what it takes to become the next Manny Pacquiao despite his recent knockout loss to Wilfredo Vazquez Jr.

Lewkowicz said the other day he was in a state of depression after Sonsona lost the WBO 115-pound title on the scales then barely escaped defeat by drawing with Alejandro Hernandez and only last month, was counted out in a foiled bid for the vacant WBO superbantamweight crown. The Uruguay impressario, who now lives in Las Vegas, was in Arlington, Texas, last weekend to witness Pacquiao’s one-sided win over Joshua Clottey.

Sonsona, 19, was widely described as a “one-hit wonder” after a brief reign as WBO titlist and not a few experts are writing him off as a serious contender because of lack of discipline and immaturity.

“How far Marvin will go is up to him,” said Lewkowicz, known as the matchmaker who gave Pacquiao his first US break by arranging the shot at the IBF superbantamweight crown worn by Lehlo Ledwaba in 2001. “I still think of all the Filipino fighters today, he has the most potential to become the next Pacquiao. He has explosive talent and Manny’s charisma. I consider the draw with Hernandez a loss so in my view, Marvin has to recover from two straight defeats. But whether he recovers or not isn’t up to me or his manager or his trainer. It’s up to him.”

Lewkowicz was surprised when informed that Sonsona has asked Cebu promoter Sammy Gello-ani to negotiate a comeback fight in May.

“If that’s true, I’m flying out to General Santos City on the first flight available,” said Lewkowicz. “I want to talk to the kid, find out what’s on his mind. If he wants to fight right away, it’s fine. That means his pride is hurting. I just hope he’s learned his lessons from his last two fights.”

Lewkowicz said if Sonsona wins his comeback fight impressively, he will bring him to Oxnard, near Los Angeles, to train with Gabriel Sarmiento.

“I believe in the kid,” said Lewkowicz. “His trainer Jun Agrabio wasn’t with him when he was preparing for Vazquez. I dropped by his camp for a few days and saw Nonito (Donaire Sr.) working the mitts. Marvin looked like a million bucks on the mitts but I noticed nobody was paying attention to strengthening his abs. I asked Nonito about it and he told me not to worry.”

This year, two of Donaire Sr.’s fighters were knocked out by single body shots in world title fights. Ciso Morales went down from a blow to the solar plexus by WBO bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel and Sonsona was also knocked out by a punch to the body.

Lewkowicz said Donaire Sr. will no longer handle Sonsona. He said Morales has no future as a world contender unless he fights with heart.

Sarmiento trains Lewkowicz’ fighter Sergio Martinez, an Argentinian now living in Spain. Martinez will take on WBC and WBO middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik in Atlantic City on April 17. Another fighter under Sarmiento’s wing is undefeated Victor Cayo who faces Marcos Maidana for the interim WBA lightwelterweight title in Las Vegas on March 27.

Lewkowicz, who visits the Philippines regularly to confer with Gello-ani and check out rising stars, said he is involved in finalizing plans for Bert Batawang to fight former IBF lightflyweight titlist Ulises Solis in Mexico and Johnriel Casimero to challenge WBO lightflyweight champion Ivan Calderon of Puerto Rico.

“I’m doing my best to give Filipino fighters a break in the world market,” said Lewkowicz. “That’s because I love the Filipino people. In Manny’s case, Murad Muhammad likes to take credit for giving his break. But boxing people know I convinced Murad to sign up Manny. I don’t expect anything from Manny. He owes me nothing. I’ve been more than compensated with the recognition by Filipino fans in the US and the Philippines. When I walk into a boxing stadium in Las Vegas, the Filipino fans call out my name. It’s an honor to be considered a Filipino.”

Lewkowicz said Batawang, 38, is in the twilight of a long career and a win over Solis will be a major lift. In 2007, Solis stopped Batawang to retain his IBF diadem in Guadalajara. A win by either fighter will lead to a crack at the world crown. Last September, Solis outpointed Dircen Cabaren in Cancun in his first bout since losing the IBF title to Brian Viloria.

You might also find My Weekend Journal or SkimChix - travel with me... interesting. Please click

Read More......

Llamados to feed on Giants tradition

Source: By Nelson Beltran (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - The Purefoods TJ Giants have officially changed their name to the B-MEG Derby Ace Llamados then vowed to live to their monicker as they bid for a PBA double championship after topping the All Filipino Cup recently.

“The monicker Llamados in itself carries a badge of expectations which I’m sure my players would be very enthusiastic about. In line with this, we pledge to play our best and hearts out in every game. We will be the Llamados through and through,” said B-MEG Derby Ace coach
Ryan Gregorio in the official launch of the B-MEG Derby Ace team at A-Venue Hall in Makati yesterday.

San Miguel Pure Foods Company president Butch Alejo was on hand to present the team to top officials and key personnel of B-MEG, a flagship brand of San Miguel Pure Foods’ feeds business.

“We believe that our B-MEG brand will benefit from the tremendous exposure PBA gave to the Purefoods TJ Giants. We expect the Derby Ace Llamados to carry on the winning tradition of the TJ Giants,” said Alejo.

“And being one of our flagship brands, we hope it delivers the message to our customers that San Miguel Pure Foods always produces high quality and affordable products, from farm to play, 24 hours a day, and we will do so in many years to come,” Alejo added.

“I assure our long-time supporters and the new fans of B-MEG, that we will continue to play our best and win their hearts in every game. Our combined skills, intense training and incessant passion to win will ultimately lead us to another victory,” said team manager Alvin Patrimonio.

Team governor Rene Pardo is confident they would keep their winning tradition as they’ve done while undergoing several name changes from Coney Island Ice Cream, Purefoods Oodles, Purefoods Chunkee to Purefoods Tender Juicy.

The franchise joined the pro league in 1988 and has since won eight championships, including five in all-Filipino tourneys.

Topping the last Philippine Cup, the team is raring to sustain its drive in the coming Fiesta Conference, hoping import Lorrenzo Wade would be perfect fit with team’s local crew.

Meanwhile, John Ferriols is set to move over to Barangay Ginebra after he was relegated to the unrestricted free agent pool at Alaska Milk.

The Aces were forced to drop Ferriols after activating new recruit Samigue Eman.

“Since John Ferriols is not in Alaska’s official lineup, we’re getting him for Barangay Ginebra. We already agreed with Ferriols that we’ll assume his UPC (existing contract with Alaska),” said SMC official Robert Non.

Ferriols is the second big man Ginebra acquired after the all-Filipino tourney. The Kings earlier got Yancy de Ocampo from Air21 in exchange for Doug Kramer and Rich Alvarez.

You might also find My Weekend Journal or SkimChix - travel with me... interesting. Please click

Read More......

Clottey forecast, 'Manny will crush Floyd'

Source: By Abac Cordero (The Philippine Star)

HOLLYWOOD – Joshua Clottey thinks that Manny Pacquiao has the tools to beat Floyd Mayweather Jr.

“To be frank with you, the fight will be very, very tough for Mayweather,” said Clottey, who lost a unanimous decision to Pacquiao last Saturday at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

By this time, the 33-year-old Clottey must be home in Ghana, probably looking for a bank where he would keep his earnings from the Pacquiao fight. He was guaranteed $1.2 million for the fight.

It was the biggest paycheck ever in the ring, and even if he retires today, he and his family, including his 10-year-old daughter, can live a good life in Ghana or if he’d like to remain in his tiny New York apartment.

Clottey took all the punches Pacquiao threw at him but never went down. Because he covered up so well that Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times wrote that he fought like a turtle on the ring.

He believes that Pacquiao has the skills, speed, the power to beat Mayweather.

“Pacquiao is very fast and he keeps on throwing punches. Mayweather doesn’t throw too much. So, Manny will give him problems. Lots of problems,” said Clottey.

The former welterweight champion of the world said he has no regrets on losing to Pacquiao, and the way he fought the fight, spending more time covering up that he almost forgot to throw his punches.

“I think I did my best. But Manny Pacquiao has defeated almost everybody and he knocked them out,” said Clottey, seemingly content that he was up on his feet when the final bell sounded before 51,000 fans.

“Unfortunately, I lost. I did what I can. I did my best. Maybe next time I can improve,” said Clottey.

But there will be no next time. Not against Pacquiao, said the Filipino’s trainer, Freddie Roach.

“He was satisfied with going the distance with Manny Pacquiao. And he did. But HBO will never use him again. They told me. If you fight for a world title, you don’t go on a survival mode. You try to win the title cause you know one it’s a once in a lifetime.”

“He’ll never get another title shot in his life,” Roach said after the fight.

You might also find My Weekend Journal or SkimChix - travel with me... interesting. Please click

Read More......

Manny's biggest fight

Source: SPORTING CHANCE By Joaquin Henson (The Philippine Star)

ARLINGTON – Now that Joshua Clottey is history, WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao will begin his campaign for the congressional seat in Saranggani province as soon as he returns home this Monday.

There’s one more foreign commitment tying Pacquiao down before he hits the campaign trail. He’s performing in a concert at the Waikiki Shell in Hawaii on Sunday. His fee is $100,000 for an appearance of at least 35 minutes – a paltry sum compared to the $12 million guarantee that Top Rank chairman Bob Arum reportedly promised for the Clottey fight.

After the elections, Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz said the plan is to bring the concert tour to Winnipeg, Toronto and Vancouver sometime in June.

It will be Pacquiao’s second attempt to land a seat in Congress. In 2007, he battled incumbent Darlene Antonino-Custodio for the right to represent the first district of South Cotabato and General Santos City. Pacquiao lost by a knockout of about 30,000 votes. There is no question that the Filipino people worship Pacquiao as a fighter and ring icon but as a politician, it appears that he has a long way to go.

Custodio has served her third and last term but Pacquiao decided to run in Sarangani where his sole opponent is Roy Chiongbian. In the one-on-one fight, Pacquiao is the underdog but that’s a role he’s familiar with. Nobody gave Pacquiao a chance to beat Marco Antonio Barrera in their first meeting or Lehlo Ledwaba or Oscar de la Hoya but he wiped them all out. Chiongbian’s brother Edwin was congressman for the last three terms. Chiongbian’s late father James was a congressman and mother Priscilla a governor. Reelectionist Gov. Miguel Dominguez is supporting Chiongbian.

Six candidates are bidding to replace Custodio and one of them, Franklin (Jeng) Gacal, is Pacquiao’s legal counsel. Another is former General Santos City Mayor Pedro Acharon.

Pacquiao was advised by close allies, including former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, to run for Congress as a party list candidate instead. He wouldn’t spend as much and a vote of about 300,000 should be enough to clinch a seat. Pacquiao could lead a party list of well-known athletes whose cause would be sports-oriented. As a party list representative, Pacquiao would enjoy the same privileges as a regularly elected congressman. But in the end, he decided to go for the Sarangani seat, presumably because his plan is to focus on the specific district he hopes to champion.

It will be an uphill struggle for Pacquiao because the Chiongbians, Dominguezes and Alcantaras are the clans that engineered the move to recognize Sarangani as a separate province. The three families built the province into what it is today and still control its politics.

Pacquiao, however, is unfazed. Koncz said he has learned his lessons from the 2007 defeat and won’t make the same mistakes. Surely, Pacquiao is now more widely known as a man who sincerely hopes to uplift the living standards of the people in the province he has chosen to represent.

Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times quoted Pacquiao as saying “he wants to assist his countrymen as they struggle with weak education, health care and poverty as he did in his youth (and) that political office is his best chance to do so.”

If not elected, Pacquiao said, “In the eyes of God, I’m at peace – I know I’ve tried to help.”

Koncz said Pacquiao will be back on home soil on Monday, ready to barnstorm Sarangani. Someone once said Pacquiao dreams of being introduced for a fight by Michael Buffer as not only “the pride of the Philippines” but also “the fighting congressman from Sarangani.”

Koncz said if Pacquiao beats Chiongbian, it won’t mean an end to his boxing career. “It will only probably cut back his fight schedule from three fights a year to one or two,” he noted.

* * * *

Make no mistake about it, Clottey attempted to employ foul tactics during his fight against Pacquiao last weekend. But referee Rafael Ramos, warned by media to watch for Clottey’s tricks, made sure nothing untoward happened.

Clottey deliberately tried to step on Pacquiao’s foot in the early rounds as a way to stop the Filipino from moving. When Pacquiao’s corner howled in protest, Clottey backed off. If the stepping was accidental, Clottey wouldn’t have probed with his foot where Pacquiao’s foot was before pinning it down. The intent was clearly malicious.

Clottey also threw some low blows, one of which infuriated Pacquiao into retaliating and getting a warning in the process from Ramos. The Ghanaian elbowed Pacquiao in the back, locked his head with an arm then hit with his free hand and occasionally pawed to lace him. Clottey butted twice but luckily, Pacquiao was too shifty to get hit squarely. Writer Gareth Davies said, “Clottey has a record for landing low blows, holding and notably, head-butting. Pacquiao did struggle with unorthodox, awkward fighters earlier in his career. Last year, the Ghanaian left Miguel Cotto with a cut, which required 20 stitches to close as the result of a head-butt. There are theories that the most dangerous weapon in Clottey’s arsenal is his head and while Freddie Roach has already been vocal against it, Pacquiao must remain conscious of it when they are working on the inside.”

Ramos wasn’t the only man who clipped Clottey’s dirty wings. Pacquiao did more than his share by avoiding what could’ve been sticky situations.

You might also find My Weekend Journal or SkimChix - travel with me... interesting. Please click

Read More......

Smart Gilas 5 trims tall, young Australians

Source: (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Smart Gilas Pilipinas shackled a young Australian side in the fourth quarter and pulled off a 78-67 victory in an exhibition game in Canberra, Australia Monday.

JR Cawaling fired 19 points, including three triples, while Mark Barroca and Japeth Aguilar each had 12 points to power the Filipinos to the victory over their Under-19 counterparts.

The Nationals trailed majority of the match but struck back behind a solid defensive game and the clutch shooting by Cawaling in the final quarter.

“Most of them are still in high school and still growing. They’re already being groomed and quartered as early as now,” said Smart Gilas skipper Chris Tiu on his twitter account.

“Just finished an exhibition game against the U-19 national team of Australia, we won by 12 points. They’re very tall, fast, physical and athletic,” he said.

Smart Gilas, still in search of a naturalized player, finished with 16 assists against the Aussies’ 13, had more steals, 9-5, and made less turnovers, 12-22. Despite their size, the Filipinos had more blocks, 9-8.

The Nationals, who trailed by three points at the start of the final period, shot better from the field, making 30 of their 67 shots for 45 percent and draining half of their 18 three-point attempts.

The Australia swing is part of Smart Gilas’ preparation for this year’s Guangzhou Asian Games as well as the 2011 FIBA-Asia Championship.

The scores:

Smart Gilas 78 – Cawaling 19, Barroca 12, Aguilar 12, Tiu 8, Baracael 7, Slaughter 6, Ababou 5, Jazul 5, Ballesteros 4

Australia U-19 67 – Hadziomerovic 12, Sinclair 11, Wroe 10, Drmic 9, Aldrige 6, Trist 6, Creek 5, Fenton 4, McCarron 2, Barry 2

Quarterscores: 20-20; 34-36; 53-55; 78-67

You might also find My Weekend Journal or SkimChix - travel with me... interesting. Please click

Read More......

Pharex turns back Excelroof for No. 1

Source: (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Pharex B-Complex blew a 19-point lead in the second quarter but recovered in time to score a 74-68 victory over Excelroof and clinch the No. 1 spot in the Final Four in the PBL PG Flex-Erase Placenta Cup at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.

Woody Co came away with 14 points and seven rebounds while guard Mark Lopez finished with 12 points, six rebounds, three assists and three shot blocks for the Pharex Fighting Maroons who closed out the single-round eliminations with the best 6-1 record.

Pharex B thus gained a twice-to-beat advantage against the No. 4 team in the semis. The Excelroof 25ers finished with a 5-2 card.

“We’re No. 1 in the semis but we want to be No. 1 two weeks from now. This will be all nothing if we don’t win the championship,” said Pharex B coach Aboy Castro in Filipino.

Meantime, Ascof Lagundi, actually the main team of Pascual Laboratories, clobbered Ani-FCA, 78-65, to stay in the semis race.

The Natural Cough Busters finished the elims with a 4-3 record but will have to hope for both Cossack Blue and Cobra Energy Drink to drop their respective games tomorrow to force a three-way tie for third.

In case of a triple-tie, Ascof and Cossack will clinch the last two semis berths due to superior tiebreak scores.

Co and Lopez canned all but one of the team’s six foul shots in the last 90 seconds before Vic Manuel sealed the win with a slam at the buzzer.

The Fighting Maroons roared to a 23-4 lead behind 17 unanswered points which veteran Nestor David highlighted with a trey.

But the 25ers charged back behind Pamboy Raymundo, Jimbo Aquino and Adrian Celada and wrested the lead at 42-37 with three minutes to go in the third quarter.

The Maroons regrouped and fought back to draw level at 49 before Ian Sangalang scored on a power play to shove Excelroof to the lead.

Pharex B countered with a decisive 15-0 run to take a 64-51 lead but Excelroof refused to yield and struck back to within, 63-66, on Raymundo’s triple with 1:31 left in the contest.

The Maroons, however, went to their defense to break a series of Excelroof’s plays en route to the victory.

“Obviously, Excelroof is such a great team with championship experience but they just wouldn’t give us the game. Hats off to them, they played really well,” said Castro.

The scores:

First Game

Pharex 74 – Co 14, Lopez 12, Arao 11, Adolfo 10, Manuel 8, David 6, Braganza 5, Reyes E. 4, Tecson 4, Maniego 0, Reyes M. 0, Hipolito 0, Astorga 0.

Excelroof 68 – Raymundo 17, Aquino 16, Celada 14, Sangalang 8, Agustin 4, Bagatsing 2, Mendoza 2, Abueva 2, Taylor 2, Bulawan 2, Pascual 0, Delgado 0, Suguitan 0.

Quarterscores: 14-4; 29-24; 49-49; 74-68

Second Game

Ascof Lagundi 78 – Canlas 22, Gamalinda 15, Uyloan 9, Aguilar 8, Labagala 7, Gerilla 6, Mazo 3, Co 3, Bauzon 3, Leynes 2, Bustos 0, Lanete 0, Asoro 0.

Ani-FCA 65 – Ong 10, Custodio 10, Sena 10, Cagoco 10, Gelasque 8, Pascual J. 8, Acosta 3, Flores 2, Sevilla 2, Pascual N. Lee 0.

Quarterscores: 29-8; 42-33; 62-48; 78-65

You might also find My Weekend Journal or SkimChix - travel with me... interesting. Please click

Read More......

Biggest fight bound to happen this year

Source: By Abac Cordero (The Philippine Star)

HOLLYWOOD – The super-fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather could take place within the year.

“Yun naman ang gusto ko (That’s what I want),” said Pacquiao at his luxurious La Pallazo luxury apartment Monday or two days after his 12-round victory against Joshua Clottey at the Cowboys Stadium.

Pacquiao said in the post-fight press conference last Saturday that while the fight with Mayweather is “the fight the people want,” it’s really up to the self-proclaimed pound-for-pound champion if he wants it, too.

“It’s up to him. I have no problem fighting him. But I don’t think he’s ready now,” said Pacquiao, the WBO welterweight king.

He said Mayweather’s demands for an Olympic-style drug-testing when boxing has always adhered with the rules laid down by the commission is the best way to dodge the bullet, and instead found himself facing Shane Mosley on May 1.

Mayweather should be the favorite against Mosley, the reigning WBA welterweight champion, and if he succeeds, calls for a Pacquiao-Mayweather unification bout will be even harder to ignore and much harder to resist.

One of Pacquiao’s advisers, Wakee Salud, said Mayweather may just be buying time by avoiding an early clash with Pacquiao. But after the Mosley fight, then the 33-year-old American should be ready for the biggest fight in history.

“I think the fight will happen. It has to happen,” said Salud, a matchmaker from Cebu, and one of the very few persons who gets to call Pacquiao and talk to him anytime of the day, anywhere the boxing icon is.

“That will be the biggest fight in history. Both fighters know that,” said Salud of the super-fight where both boxers stand to get no less than $30 million each as long as they agree to do it any place on earth.

Salud said Mayweather coming out of retirement, at a time when Pacquiao is almost running out of opponents in every division he chose to invade, is a big sign that the trash-talking boxer wants a crack at the Filipino.

“Pacquiao is the only reason Mayweather came out of retirement. He knows that there’s a lot of money to be made by facing Pacquiao. But he’s not ready yet,” said Salud.

No wonder Mayweather, who formally announced his return to the ring, against Juan Manuel Marquez, on the eve of Pacquiao’s fight with Ricky Hatton last May, chose to fight Shane Mosley two months from now.

Mayweather knocked out Marquez, and is favored to beat Mosley, as a tuneup for the Pacquiao fight.

“I think it (Pacquiao-Mayweather) will happen this year,” added Saud.

Notes: While his wife, Jinkee, went out shopping at The Grove on a sun-blessed Monday afternoon, Manny Pacquiao was in his LA apartment entertaining more than a dozen visitors with a “friendly” card game of “Pusoy Dos.” And while he had one eye glued on the game he was playing, he had the other glued on the plasma screen showing a game between the Boston Celtics, his home team even when he’s far away, against the Detroit Pistons. “May pusta ako dyan (I have money on that),” he said. And it’s no friendly bet. The Celtics won by a mile, 119-93... Pacquiao is scheduled to hold a concert in Hawaii on Sunday and if it happens will fly straight to Manila the following day... Traditionally, Pacquiao does his “thank you” visit to the Wild Card Gym the Monday after the fight, but this time he had to skip it because his chief trainer, Freddie Roach, flew to New York for the press conference of the Amir Khan-Paul Malignaggi fight on May 15 at the Madison Square Garden. Roach, who trains Khan, will be back in LA on Wednesday. Pacquiao said he’ll be at the gym that day.

You might also find My Weekend Journal or SkimChix - travel with me... interesting. Please click

Read More......

Import returnees spice up 'Fiesta'

Source: By Nelson Beltran (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Four returnees, headed by last year’s Best Import Gabe Freeman of San Miguel Beer, and six newcomers, including NBA veteran Awvee Storey of Barangay Ginebra, will be featured in the PBA Fiesta Conference which fires off Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

While Freeman is expected to dish out another solid performance for the Beermen, focus will be on Storey, the best-credentialed among the current batch of reinforcements, having played in three NBA teams – Washington, New Jersey and Milwaukee – for four seasons.

Storey was scheduled to be measured late yesterday along with Diamon Simpson of Alaska, Sammy Monroe of Barako Bull, Eric Cory Hicks of Talk n Text, according to PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios, who appeared at yesterday’s PSA Forum at the Shakey’s UN Ave. The height limit for imports is 6-6.

Simpson had a brief stint with Los Angeles D-Fenders in the NBA Developmental League while Monroe saw action with the Rochester Razorsharks in the little-known Premier Basketball League.

Hicks played college ball at the University of Cincinnati, before seeing action in the Belgian, Polish and Russian leagues.

Another newcomer is Greek League veteran Lorenzo Wade, who will backstop the All-Filipino champion Derby Ace Llamados (formerly Purefoods TJ Giants).

Air21, meanwhile, will parade Keena Young, who made good impression during the Express practice upon his arrival in the country Monday, according to team manager Lito Alvarez.

However, Alvarez rued their failure to enlist original choice Leroy Hickerson, who suffered injury after figuring in a car accident in Kentucky, a few days before his departure for Manila.

“It’s very unfortunate. Hickerson could’ve been the second coming of Billy Ray Bates,” said Alvarez.

“Hickerson is an exciting player with a good inside and outside game. You can’t give him a breathing space as he can shoot three-pointers. You can’t also give him an open lane as he has an explosive drive. He’s a good outside shooter and dunker, just like Billy Ray Bates,” Alvarez said.

Hickerson had just finished a stint in the Mexican league and already preparing for his trip to the Philippines when he met the accident and sustained an elbow injury.

“He underwent surgery, so it’s very unlikely he can still play for us in this tournament. What’s sure is that he’s a top option for us in the next import-reinforced tourney,” said Alvarez.

The Air21 top official said Hickerson is only 26, a flamboyant player who took the Mexican league by storm.

“I was told he has big billboards in Mexico. After the season, he was even given a testimonial dinner by his team,” said Alvarez.

“It’s really sad we lost him. He’s a big loss to the team and to the league,” Alvarez added.

Alvarez, however, stressed the Express are still upbeat as they got a good import replacement in Young.

“Young may not be as exciting as Hickerson, but he could be as effective and that’s important,” said Air21 coach Yeng Guiao.

“Like Hickerson, Young can also play an inside and outside game,” Guiao added.

Guiao said the team is raring to come out and compete in the coming tourney following the buildup they have undertaken.

“If our import blends well with the locals, then we can have a good run in the coming tourney,” added Guiao, who has new players in Mike Cortez, Renren Ritualo and Doug Kramer.

Aside from Freeman, other returning imports are Jai Lewis of Rain or Shine, James Penny of Coca-Cola and Anthony Johnson of Sta. Lucia.

Barako Bull clashes with Sta. Lucia while Talk n Text collides with Barangay Ginebra in Sunday’s opener.

Barrios also announced that the league has scheduled several road games for the upcoming conference, including a Coca- Cola-San Miguel showdown in Gingoog City on March 27 and the Ginebra-Rain or Shine tussle in Bacolod on April 10.

Barrios said the league is also staging road games in Cagayan de Oro, Batangas, Davao, Cebu, Ormoc, Tacloban and Dumaguete.

You might also find My Weekend Journal or SkimChix - travel with me... interesting. Please click

Read More......